Slitherine

Maybe is it too soon to ask, but do you have already a time for the release of the rules?
Do you intend to produce them in print? in electronic format for download? both?

I find the description of the rules very interesting, it looks like the game I have been waiting for. I'll watch your site.

We dont want to set a date yet, because the rules will only get released when they are ready and setting schedules too soon can end up with untested systems being released. We will soon be entering beta testing, but other than that we don't want to commit!

The rules will be print format, as will the army lists.

about schedule : it seems you started testing . In Belgium a Friend and I are willing to test if you whish .

Wilputte Jacques

Thanks, we are keeping the beta team quite small initially but may open it out to more people later.

OK, thanks

I suspect that one of the reasons why there have been so many incarnations of DBM is that they were not properly playtested before release. I can only applaud the cautious attitude you are taking towards the release, but would emphasise that when it comes to play testing there is almost no such thing as too many play testers.

regards
Paul

In some ways we agree, but if you start testing with too many people too soon the volume of feedback becomes too high to manage effectively and the testers feel they are not being appreciated and lose interest. We want to clear up the majority of issues before we open it too wide or we'll get the same problems reported by hundreds of people.

iainmcneil wrote:In some ways we agree, but if you start testing with too many people too soon the volume of feedback becomes too high to manage effectively and the testers feel they are not being appreciated and lose interest. We want to clear up the majority of issues before we open it too wide or we'll get the same problems reported by hundreds of people.

Iain, there is wisdom in that observation.

Now, if you could just get that point across to the rest of the industry, please?

Don't rush it. Too much of the industry conducts "Beta testing" by releasing the game, then creates 2nd editons, 3rd editions, etc. to fix the obvious bugs. What're DBA/DBM up to now?

When the game is opened up for a wider "final" Beta test, I'd like to try it out with the Reading Area Wargamers, in Reading, PA, USA. We've been "rules hunting" for a good "ancients" game for several years with little success. Either they seem to be "fast-play" tournament rules with about as much depth as "paper/rock/scissors" and a bit short on realism, or take more than 4 hours to reach at least some semblance of a decision; there's nothing in the middle.

As we do not have access to some more private parts of this forum just a post to ask OK guys, how is it going ???? Many DBM people are waiting for something new , simple quick amusing and refreshing
so what's the actual status ( am I being impatient ? )

Yes, it is noticeable that a number of DBM players have drifted away in the past 12 months.
I think a reasonably quick release would be beneficial - looks like this could bring back some of the old 6th/7th players. POW and DBMM are both on the horizon but this looks the best option to me.

We're currently in closed beta test. The rules are progressing well, as are the lists! The 2nd beta test edition is coming soon, and from then on we hope it will be minor tinkering and rewording only.

After this we have to design the diagrams & produce, set up print layout and take care of all the production, marketing, business related issues.

We can't say for sure how long this will all take, but we're talking a number of months, not years.

To be honest I don't think it will attract many, if any 6th edition players, except maybe to tinker, as they do now with WAB and DBM.

The real target audience is the DBM fraternity, but I may be wrong in this.

By the way I am a stick in the mud 6th edition dinosaur that tinkers with 25mm DBM.

regards
Paul